Cable reel with axially adjustable coupling mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cable reel is described. The cable reel includes first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are configured to be axially aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The cable reel includes an axially adjustable coupling mechanism configured to couple the first hub portion to the second hub portion at a plurality of stable axial positions. The first hub portion is rotationally fixed to the second hub portion at the plurality of axial positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/298,530, filed Jan. 11, 2022, which is herebyincorporated by reference it its entirety. In addition, this applicationincorporates the following applications by reference: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/804,577, filed Feb. 28, 2020, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/833,091, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,589,957, filed onDec. 6, 2017, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/433,789, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,862,566, filed on Feb. 15, 2017, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/634,007, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,695,008 B2, filed on Feb. 27, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable reel and also to a method forinstalling cable on the cable reel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable installers are commonly required to carry cable to installationlocations. The installers usually use some type of shoulder bag or othertypes of packing solutions with an opening for paying out the cable.These cables are often wound on a reel to form a cable coil and packagedin a box or bag for payout during installations. When the cable coilshifts before or during installation on the cable reel, the dimensionsof the cable coil can no longer fit on the cable reel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention may provide a cable reel that hasfirst and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hubportion, and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first andsecond hub portions are axially aligned and configured to mate with oneanother to support cable, such as a cable coil. The first hub portionincludes an elongated wall that extends from the first flange. Theelongated wall is sized to support the cable. The elongated wall definesan inner area that is configured to accept the second hub portion. Theelongated wall includes a plurality of flexible segments. The second hubportion includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner areaof the first hub portion. The truncated wall includes a tapered outersurface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.

The present disclosure may also provide an axially adjustable couplingmechanism for coupling the first hub portion to the second hub portionto accommodate cable coils of different sizes. In some embodiments, theaxially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a threaded connectionthat is continuously adjustable in the axial direction. In someembodiments, the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a snapconnection that provides discrete stable positions in the axialdirection. In some embodiments, the axially adjustable couplingmechanism includes a ratcheting pawl or other mechanism to limit orprevent the loosening of the axially adjustable coupling mechanismduring use.

The present disclosure may also provide a cable reel that includes atleast one support frame that has an outwardly extending braking gearmember. The outwardly extending gear member is located off-center on theframe. A first flange has a central opening and a first hub portion thatsurrounds the central opening. The central opening has an internalbraking gear member that engages the outwardly extending gear member ofthe frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame andthe first flange. A second flange opposes the first flange and has asecond hub portion. The first and second hub portions are configured tomate with one another to support cable. The engagement of the gearmembers provides a friction for cable payoff.

The present disclosure may additionally provide a cable reel that has atleast one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gearmember and a first flange having a central opening with an internalbraking gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the atleast one support frame and the first flange. A hub is provided betweenthe first flange and a second flange that opposed the first flange. Thehub is configured to support a cable, wherein the engagement of the gearmembers provides friction for cable payoff from the hub.

The present disclosure may further provide a cable reel that comprisesfirst and second support frames that each have an outwardly extendingbraking gear member and first and second flanges that each have acentral opening with an internal braking gear member engaging theoutwardly extending gear members of the first and second support frames,respectively, thereby rotatably coupling the first support frame and thefirst flange and rotatably coupling the second support frame and thesecond flange. A hub is between the first flange and a second flange andis configured to support cable. The engagement of the gear membersprovides friction for cable payoff from the hub.

The present disclosure may further provide a method of installing thecable, such as a cable coil, on a cable reel that includes the steps ofproviding a cable reel that includes first and second opposing flanges,the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange havinga second hub portion, the first hub portion being longer than the secondhub portion, and the first hub portion having a plurality of flexiblesegments; placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on thefirst flange so that the first hub portion extends through the cablecoil; and inserting the second hub portion inside of the first hubportion, thereby expanding the flexible segments so that the flexiblesegments engage the cable coil.

The present disclosure may yet further provide a method of installingcable on a cable reel comprising the steps of providing a cable reelthat includes first and second opposing flanges where the first flangehas a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portionand the first hub portion has one or more flexible segments; placing acable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so thatthe first hub portion substantially extends through an inner diameter ofthe cable coil; and expanding the one or more flexible segments byinserting the second hub portion inside of the first hub portion so thatthe one or more flexible segments engage the cable coil.

The present disclosure may also further provide a method of installingcable on a cable reel, comprising the steps of providing a cable reelthat includes first and second frames that rotatably support first andsecond opposing flanges, respectively, where the first flange has afirst hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion and thefirst hub portion ha an elongated wall that defines a receiving area fora truncated wall of the second hub portion; placing a cable coil overthe first hub portion and on the first flange so that the first hubportion substantially extends through an inner diameter of the cablecoil; and inserting the truncated wall of the second hub portion insideof the receiving area of the first hub portion, thereby retaining thecable coil between the first and second frames such that the cable coilrotates with respect to the first and second frames, thereby allowingpayout of the cable of the cable coil.

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, that comprises the steps of: placing a coil of cable on afirst hub of a first flange of a cable reel; placing a second flange ofthe cable reel, that is separable from the first flange, opposite fromthe first flange to hold the coil of cable on the first hub of the firstflange; positioning the first flange on or next to a first support framereceived in the bag; and placing the second flange on or next to asecond support frame received in the bag. The second support frame ispositioned in the bag such that the first flange, the coil of cable andthe second flange are located between the first support frame and thesecond support frame.

In some examples, the method further comprises the step of engaging thefirst and second flanges after placing the second flange opposite fromthe first flange, thereby holding the coil of cable between the firstand second flanges; the step of engaging the first and second flangesincludes snapping the first and second flanges together; the step ofengaging the first and second flanges includes engaging a second hub ofthe second flange with the first hub of the first flange; and/or thefirst hub of the first flange is an elongated wall.

In other examples, the method further comprises the step of disengagingthe first flange from the second flange; further comprises the step ofdisengaging the first flange from the second flange after opening thebag; and/or further comprises the steps of rotatably coupling the firstflange and the first frame and rotatably coupling the second flange andthe second frame.

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, that comprises the steps of: placing a coil of cable on afirst hub of a first flange of the cable reel; placing a second flangeof the cable reel opposite from the first flange to hold the coil ofcable on the first hub of the first flange; positioning the first flangeon or next to a first support frame located in the bag; and placing thesecond flange on or next to a second support frame located in the bag,wherein the second support frame is positionable in the bag such thatthe first flange, the coil of cable and the second flange are locatedbetween the first support frame and the second support frame. The stepof placing the coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange occursbefore the step of positioning the first flange on the first supportframe.

In certain examples, the step of placing the second flange of the cablereel opposite from the first flange to hold the coil of cable on thefirst hub of the first flange includes engaging a second hub of thesecond flange with the first hub; and/or the method further comprisesthe step of disengaging the second hub from the first hub after openingthe bag.

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, the bag having a cover for opening the bag, a base oppositethe cover, and sides extending between the cover and the base, themethod comprising the steps of: placing a coil of cable on a first hubof a first flange of a cable reel; placing a second flange of the cablereel, that is separable from the first flange, opposite from the firstflange to hold the coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange;positioning the first flange on or next to a first support framereceived in the bag, the first support frame being on an inner surfaceof the base of the bag; and placing the second flange on or next to asecond support frame received in the bag, the second support frame beingon an inner surface of the cover of the bag. When the cover of the bagis closed, the first flange, the coil of cable and the second flange arelocated between the first support frame and the second support frameinside the bag.

In some examples, the method further comprises the step of engaging thefirst and second flanges after placing the second flange opposite fromthe first flange, thereby holding the coil of cable between the firstand second flanges; the step of engaging the first and second flangesincludes engaging a second hub of the second flange with the first hubof the first flange; the method further comprises the step ofdisengaging the first flange from the second flange; the method furthercomprises the step of opening the bag by opening the cover and the stepof disengaging the first flange from the second flange occurs afteropening the bag; and/or the method further comprises the steps ofrotatably coupling the first flange and the first frame and rotatablycoupling the second flange and the second frame.

In other examples, the coil of cable is prepacked with a plastic wrapprior to the step of placing the coil of cable on the first hub of thefirst flange; and/or the method further comprises the step of dispensingthe cable through a payout slot in the bag.

The present disclosure may yet further relate to a method of installinga cable reel in a bag, the cable reel comprising a first flange with afirst hub portion and a second flange with a second hub portion, themethod can comprise the steps of: placing the first flange on a firstsupport frame secured to a base of the bag, wherein either the first hubportion or the second hub portion includes an elongated wall and theother of the first hub portion and the second hub portion includes atruncated wall; and releasably coupling the elongated wall and thetruncated wall together to form a hub member configured to support acoil of cable.

In certain examples, the elongated wall and the truncated wall arereleasably coupled by a friction fit therebetween; the method furthercomprises the step of placing the coil of cable on the elongated wallprior to the step of releasably coupling the elongated wall and thetruncated wall together; the method further comprises the step ofdispensing cable of the cable coil through a payout slot in the bagafter the step of releasably coupling the elongated wall and thetruncated wall together; the method further comprises the step ofdecoupling the elongated wall and the truncated wall from one anotherfor replacement of the coil of cable with another coil of cable; atleast a portion of the truncated wall is received in a receiving area ofthe elongated wall when releasably coupling the elongated wall and thetruncated wall together; the elongated wall is an annular wall and thetruncated wall is an annular wall; the first flange and the elongatedwall are integral, and the second flange and the truncated wall areintegral; the first hub portion includes a first engagement memberconfigured to engage a second engagement member of the second hubportion; and/or the method further comprises the step of locking thefirst flange to the second flange.

The present disclosure may also relate to a method of installing a cablereel in a bag, that can comprise the steps of releasably coupling a hubportion of a first flange of the cable reel with a second flange of thecable reel, the hub portion being configured to support a coil of cable;placing a coil of cable on the hub portion; and placing the first flangeon a first support frame secured to the bag for dispensing the cablefrom the bag.

In some examples, the hub portion comprises a wall; the step ofreleasably coupling the hub portion and the second flange includesinserting another hub portion of the second flange into a receiving areaof the hub portion of the first flange; the step of releasably couplingthe hub portion includes coupling the hub portion and another hubportion of the second flange by a friction fit; the hub portion includesa first engagement member configured to engage a second engagementmember of another hub portion of the second flange; the first flange andthe hub portion form one-piece; and/or the step of placing the coil ofcable on the hub portion occurs before releasably coupling the hubportion and the second flange.

The present disclosure may further relate to a method of installing acoil of cable in a bag, that can comprise the steps of: placing apre-wound, reel-less coil of cable on a hub portion of a first flange;after placing the coil of cable on the hub portion of the first flange,releasably coupling the hub portion to a second flange, to form a hubthat holds the coil of cable between the first and second flanges; andplacing the first flange and the second flange with the coil of cabletherebetween into the bag.

In certain examples, the method further comprises the step ofpositioning the first flange on or next to a first support framereceived in the bag, the first support frame being on an inner surface abase of the bag; and/or the method further comprises the step ofpositioning the second flange on or next to a second support framereceived in the bag, the second support frame being on an inner surfaceof a cover of the bag, wherein, when the cover of the bag is closed, thefirst flange, the coil of cable and the second flange are locatedbetween the first support frame and the second support frame inside thebag.

In other examples of the method, the reel-less coil of cable ispre-wound prior to the step of placing the coil of cable on the hubportion of the first flange; the method further comprises the step ofdispensing cable of the coil of cable from the bag; the method furthercomprises the step of decoupling the hub portion and the second flange;the method further comprises the step of placing another pre-woundreel-less coil of cable on the hub portion after the step of decouplingthe hub portion and the second flange; the hub portion comprises anelongated wall; the step of releasably coupling the hub portion and thesecond flange comprises releasably coupling the hub portion with anotherhub portion of the second flange; and/or the hub portion and the anotherhub portion form a friction fit.

The present disclosure may also provide a method of installing a coil ofcable in a bag, that can comprise the steps of providing a user with acable reel, the cable reel comprising a first flange and a secondflange, the first flange having a hub member configured to releasablycouple to the second flange; instructing the user to place the coil ofcable on the hub member and then releasably couple the hub member withthe second flange with the coil of cable between the first and secondflanges; and instructing the user to place the cable reel with the coilof cable into the bag for dispensing of the cable. In the example, themethod further comprises the step of providing the user the coil ofcable that is pre-wound and reel-less.

The present disclosure further provides a kit (e.g., a cable reel kit)of separate components for assembly of a cable reel apparatus thatcomprises a bag that has a base with a first inside surface and a coverwith a second inside surface, wherein the bag is sized to hold a coil ofcable; a first frame that has a geometry configured for placement on oneof the first inside surface or the second inside surface of the bag; anda second frame that has a geometry configured for placement on anotherone of the first inside surface or the second inside surface of the bag.A first flange that has an inner surface, an outer surface, a first hubportion, and a central opening for engaging the first frame such that,when engaged, the outer surface of the first flange faces the firstframe. A second flange that has an inner surface, an outer surface, asecond hub portion, and a central opening for engaging the second framesuch that, when engaged, the outer surface of the second flange facesthe second frame. Either the first hub portion or the second hub portionincludes an elongated wall and the other of the first hub portion andthe second hub portion includes a truncated wall, the truncated wall andthe elongated wall being configured to releasably couple to form a hubmember configured to support the coil of cable.

In certain examples, one or both of the elongated wall and the truncatedwall is an annular wall that extends transversely to a plane of theinner surface of the respective first or second flange; the truncatedwall is sized to fit within a receiving area of the elongated wall; morethan half of the length of the truncated wall is sized to fit within thereceiving area of the elongated wall; the first and second hub portionsare configured to interlock with one another; the geometry of the firstand second frames is substantially square; the first flange and thefirst hub portion are one-piece and the second flange and the second hubportion are one-piece; and/or the bag includes a payout opening sizedfor dispensing of the cable of the coil of cable.

The present disclosure additionally provides a kit of separatecomponents for assembly of a cable reel apparatus that comprises apre-wound coil of cable, the coil of cable has an inner diameter; a bagsized to hold the coil of cable, the bag has a base and a cover; a firstframe that has a geometry configured to fit inside of the base of thebag; and a second frame that has a geometry configured to fit on aninside surface of the cover of the bag. A first flange that has an innersurface and an outer surface and is configured for engaging the firstframe such that the outer surface of the first flange faces the firstframe, and the first flange has a first hub portion on the inner surfaceof the first flange. A second flange that has an inner surface and anouter surface and is configured for engaging the second frame such thatthe outer surface of the second flange faces the second frame, and thesecond flange has a second hub portion on the inner surface of thesecond flange. The first and second hub portions are sized to fit withinthe inner diameter of the coil of cable and are configured to releasablycouple with one another to form a hub member for supporting the coil ofcable between the first and second flanges.

In some examples, the coil of cable is prepackaged without a reel; thecoil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap; the first hub portionhas an inner friction surface and the second hub portion has an outerfriction surface such that when the first and second hub portions areengaged, a friction fit is formed therebetween; one of the first andsecond hub portions is an elongated annular wall and the other of thefirst and second hub portions is a truncated annular wall, and theelongated and truncated walls extend substantially perpendicularly to aplane of the inner surface of the respective first or second flange; thegeometry of the first and second frames is substantially square; thefirst flange and the first hub portion are one-piece and the secondflange and the second hub portion are one-piece; and/or the bag includesa payout opening sized for dispensing of the cable of the coil of cable.

The present disclosure also provides a kit of separate components forassembly of cable reel apparatus that comprises a reel-less pre-woundcoil of cable, the coil of cable has an inner diameter; a bag sized tohold the coil of cable, the bag has a base and a cover; a first framehas a geometry configured to fit inside of the base of the bag; and asecond frame has a geometry configured to fit on an inside surface ofthe cover of the bag. A first flange has an inner surface and an outersurface and is configured for engaging the first frame such that theouter surface of the first flange faces the first frame. A second flangethat has an inner surface and an outer surface and is configured forengaging the second frame such that the outer surface of the secondflange faces the second frame. At least one of the first and secondflanges has a wall sized to fit within the inner diameter of the coil ofcable, and the wall is configured to releasably couple with the other ofthe first and second flanges.

In certain examples, the wall is an elongated annular wall; theelongated annular wall is configured to releasably couple with an innersurface of the other of the first and second flanges; the one of thefirst and second flanges and the elongated annular wall are one-piece;and/or the coil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap.

The present disclosure may further provide a cable payout apparatus thatcomprises a bag that has a base, a cover, and a payout opening fordispensing cable, a first frame inside the bag, and a second frameinside the bag. A first flange is configured to be rotatably coupled tothe first frame and has an inner side, an outer side, and a centralopening, the outer side of the first flange faces the first frame. Asecond flange is configured to be coupled to the second frame and has aninner side, an outer side, and a central opening, the outer side of thesecond flange faces the second frame. An elongated wall extends from theinner side of the first flange and releasably couples to the secondflange. The elongated wall for supporting a coil of cable between thefirst and second flanges. The first frame is positioned in the base ofthe bag and the second frame is positioned at the cover of the bag, suchthat when the cover of the bag is closed with respect to the base of thebag, the second frame releasably couples with the second flange and suchthat when the cover of the bag is opened with respect to the base of thebag, the second frame decouples from the second flange.

In certain examples, the first flange and the elongated wall formone-piece; the hub portion and the second flange are releasably coupledby a friction fit; the second flange includes a truncated wall extendingtransversely from the inner side of the second flange, and the truncatedwall is configured to releasably couple to the elongated wall; at leasta portion of the truncated wall is received in a receiving area of theelongated wall when releasably coupling the elongated wall and thetruncated wall together; the truncated wall extends about the centralopening; the coil of cable defines an inner diameter, wherein theelongated wall and the truncated wall are configured to extend into theinner diameter to support the coil of cable; and/or each of theelongated and truncated wall is annular.

In other examples, the coil of cable has an inner diameter, and theelongated wall is sized to be received in the inner diameter whensupporting the coil of cable, the coil of cable is prepackaged without areel; the bag is configured such that the second flange is removablefrom the elongated wall allowing the coil of cable to be loaded onto theelongated wall; and/or the second flange is released from the elongatedwall.

The present disclosure also further provides a cable payout apparatusthat comprises a bag that has a base, a cover, and a payout opening fordispensing cable, a first frame inside the bag, and a second frameinside the bag. A first flange is positioned on the first frame, thefirst flange has an inner side and an outer side, the outer side of thefirst flange faces the first frame, and a first hub portion on the innerside of the first flange. A second flange is positioned on the secondframe, the second flange has an inner side and an outer side, the outerside of the second flange faces the second frame, and a second hubportion on the inner side of the second flange. The first hub portionand the second hub portion are configured to releasably couple with oneanother to form a hub member for supporting a coil of cable between thefirst and second flanges. The first frame is positioned in the base ofthe bag and the second frame is positioned at the cover of the bag, suchthat when the cover of the bag is closed with respect to the base of thebag, the second frame releasably couples with the second flange and suchthat when the cover of the bag is opened with respect to the base of thebag, the second frame decouples from the second flange.

In some examples, the coil of cable is prepackaged without a reel; thecoil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap; the first hub portionhas an inner friction surface and the second hub portion has an outerfriction surface such that when the first and second hub portions arecoupled, a friction fit is formed therebetween; one of the first andsecond hub portions is an elongated wall; one of the first and secondhub portions is an elongated annular wall and the other of the first andsecond hub portions is a truncated annular wall, and the elongated andtruncated annular walls extend transversely from the inner side of therespective first or second flanges; at least portion of the truncatedannular wall is sized to be received in a receiving area of theelongated annular wall; and/or the first flange and the first hubportion form one-piece and the second flange and the second hub portionform one-piece.

The present disclosure may also provide a cable payout apparatus thatcomprises a bag that has a base, a cover, and a payout opening fordispensing cable, a first frame inside the bag, and a second frameinside the bag. A first flange is configured to be rotatably coupled tothe first frame, the first flange has an inner side, an outer side, anda central opening, and the outer side of the first flange facing thefirst frame. A second flange is configured to be rotatably coupled tothe second frame, the second flange has an inner side, an outer side,and a central opening, and the outer side of the second flange facingthe second frame. An elongated annular wall extends from the inner sideof the first flange and extends in a direction transverse with respectto the first flange. A truncated annular wall extends from the innerside of the second flange and extends in a direction transverse withrespect to the second flange and releasably couples to the elongatedannular wall to form a hub member that supports a pre-wound reel-lesscoil of cable between the first and second flanges. The first frame ispositioned in the base of the bag and the second frame is positioned atthe cover of the bag, such that when the cover of the bag is closed withrespect to the base of the bag, the second frame rotatably couples withthe second flange and such that when the cover of the bag is opened withrespect to the base of the bag, the second frame decouples from thesecond flange.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatus thatcomprises a cable reel for holding a coil of cable, and the cable reelincludes a central longitudinal axis, a first flange configured to berotatably coupled to a first frame, the first flange having oppositeinner and outer sides, and the inner side of the first flange having anelongated wall extending transversely therefrom along the centrallongitudinal axis of the cable reel, and a second flange separate fromthe first flange that is configured to be rotatably coupled to a secondframe, the second flange has opposite inner and outer sides, and theinner side of the second flange has a truncated wall extendingtransversely therefrom along the central longitudinal axis of the cablereel. The elongated wall and the truncated wall are configured to bereleasably coupled to one another for supporting a coil of cable betweenthe first and second flanges and are configured to be decoupled from oneanother when replacing the coil of cable once dispensed from the cablereel apparatus.

In certain examples, the coil of cable has an inner diameter, and theelongated and truncated walls are sized to be received in the innerdiameter when supporting the coil of cable, the coil of cable isprepacked without a cable reel, the first frame and the second frame aredisposed on inner surfaces of a bag that has a payout opening fordispensing cable of the coil of cable; the bag is configured such thatthe second flange is removable from the elongated wall of the firstflange allowing the coil of cable to be loaded on and unloaded from theelongated wall; the first fame is positioned in a base of the bag andthe second frame is positioned at a cover of the bag, such that when thecover of the bag is closed with respect to the base of the bag, thesecond frame releasably couples with the second flange and such thatwhen the cover of the bag is opened with respect to the base of the bag,the second frame decouples from the second flange; the first flange andthe elongated wall form one-piece and the second flange and thetruncated wall form one-piece; the elongated wall and the truncated wallare releasably coupled by a friction fit; at least a portion of thetruncated wall is received inside a receiving area of the elongated wallwhen releasably coupling the elongated wall and the truncated walltogether; and/or the elongated wall and the truncated wall each extendabout a central opening in the first and second flanges, respectively.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatus thatcomprises a bag that has a base, a cover, and a payout opening fordispensing cable; a first frame configured to be received inside thebag; and a second frame configured to be received inside the bag. Afirst flange is configured to be positioned on the first frame, and thefirst flange has an inner side and an outer side, the outer side of thefirst flange facing the first frame, and a first hub portion on theinner side of the first flange. A second flange that is separate fromthe first flange is configured to be positioned on the second frame, andthe second flange has an inner side and an outer side, the outer side ofthe second flange facing the second frame, and a second hub portion onthe inner side of the second flange. The first hub portion and thesecond hub portion are configured to be releasably coupled to oneanother for supporting a coil of cable between the first and secondflanges and are configured to be decoupled from one another whenreplacing the coil of cable once dispensed from the cable reelapparatus.

In some examples, the coil of cable is prepackaged without a reel; thecoil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap; the first hub portionhas an inner friction surface and the second hub portion has an outerfriction surface such that when the first and second hub portions arereleasably coupled, a friction fit is formed therebetween; one of thefirst and second hub portions is an elongated wall; one of the first andsecond hub portions is an elongated annular wall and the other of thefirst and second hub portions is a truncated annular wall, and theelongated and truncated annular walls extend transversely from the innerside of the respective first or second flanges; and/or at least aportion of the truncated annular wall is sized to be received in areceiving area of the elongated annular wall.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatusthat comprises a first flange configured to be rotatably coupled to afirst frame, the first flange having an inner side, an outer side, and acentral opening, the outer side of the first flange facing the firstframe, and a first hub portion extends from the inner side of the firstflange. A second flange is separate from the first flange that iscon-figured to be coupled to a second frame. The second flange has aninner side, an outer side, and a central opening, and he outer side ofthe second flange facing the second frame, and a second hub portionextends from the inner side of the second flange. And means forreleasably coupling the first hub portion and the second hub portion toform a hub member that supports a pre-wound reel-less coil of cablebetween the first and second flanges and decoupling the first hubportion and the second hub portion from one another when replacing thecoil of cable once dispensed from the cable reel apparatus.

In some examples, the first frame is positioned in a base of a bag thathas a payout opening for dispensing cable the second frame is positionedat a cover of the bag, such that when the cover of the bag is closedwith respect to the base of the bag, and the second frame rotatablycouples with the second flange and such that when the cover of the bagis opened with respect to the base of the bag, the second framedecouples from the second flange; and/or at least one of the first andsecond hub portions is an elongated annular wall.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatusthat comprises a bag, a first frame that is configured to be receivedinside the bag; a first flange that is configured to be removablyengaged with the first frame; a second frame that is configured to bereceived inside the bag; a second flange that is configured to beremovably engaged with the second frame; and a hub member that isconfigured to releasably couple said first flange with the secondflange, and the hub member configured to support a coil of cable.

In some examples, the first flange has an inner surface, and the hubmember extends from the inner surface of the first flange and isconfigured to be releasably coupled with said second flange; and/or thehub member comprises a first hub portion that extends from the innersurface of the fir flange and a second hub portion extends from an innersurface of the second flange, and the first hub portion is configured tobe releasably coupled with the second hub portion; the bag has a firstside and a second side, and the first frame is configured to bepositioned at the first side of the bag, and the second frame isconfigured to be positioned at the second side of the bag; the firstside comprises a cover of the bag and the second side comprises a baseof the bag; and/or the second frame is configured to releasably couplewith said second flange when the cover is closed, and said second frameis configured to decouple from said second flange when the cover isopened.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a system for using a cable reelapparatus that comprises providing components of a separable cable reelfor assembly of a cable reel apparatus. The components of the separablecable reel include a first frame, a second frame, and the second frameis separate from the first frame. A first flange is configured to engagethe first frame. The first flange has an inner side and an outer side,and the outer side of the first flange faces the first frame when thefirst flange is engaged therewith. A second flange is configured toengage the second frame. The second flange has an inner side and anouter side, and the outer side of the second flange faces the secondframe when the second flange is engaged therewith. The system alsocomprises providing a pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable that isseparate from the separable cable reel. The first and second flanges areconfigured to releasably couple with one another to support thepre-wound, reel-less coil of cable there between.

In certain examples, the system further comprises assembling the cablereel apparatus by releasably coupling the first and second flanges suchthat the respective inner sides thereof face one another to support thepre-wound, reel-less coil of cable therebetween along a centrallongitudinal axis of the separable cable reel; the system furthercomprises disassembling the cable reel apparatus by decoupling the firstand second flanges; the system further comprises a bag having a base anda cover, wherein the bag is sized to hold the cable reel apparatus whenassembled; the base of the bag has a cable payout opening sized fordispensing cable from the cable reel apparatus; the first frame has ageometry configured for placement on inside surface of the bag andwherein the second frame has a geometry configured for placement onanother inside surface of the bag; the geometry of the first and secondframes is substantially square; and/or each of the first and secondflanges has a substantially disc shape.

In other examples, at least one of the first and second flanges includesa hub portion that is receivable in an inner diameter of the pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable; the hub portion extends transversely from theinner side of the at least one of the first and second flanges; the hubportion is an elongated wall; the first flange is one-piece and thesecond flange is one-piece; and/or the first and second flanges areconfigured to interlock with one another.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for using a cablereel apparatus that comprises providing components of a separable cablereel for assembly of a cable reel apparatus. The components of theseparable cable reel include a first frame and a second frame that isseparate from the first frame. The components also include a firstflange hat has an inner side and an outer side, and the first flange isconfigured for engaging the first frame such that the outer side of thefirst flange faces the first frame, and the first flange has a first hubportion on the inner side of the first flange, and a second flange thathas an inner side and an outer side, and the second flange is configuredfor engaging the second frame such that the outer side of the secondflange faces the second frame, and the second flange has a second hubportion on the inner side of the second flange. The system alsocomprises providing a pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable that isseparate from the separable cable reel, and the first and second hubportions are sized to fit within the inner diameter of the coil of cableand are configured to releasably couple with one another to form a hubmember for supporting the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable between thefirst and second flanges.

In certain examples the coil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap;the first hub portion has an inner friction surface and the second hubportion has an outer friction surface such that when the first andsecond hub portions are engaged, a friction fit is formed therebetween;one of the first and second hub portions is an elongated annular walland the other of the first and second hub portions is a truncatedannular wall, and the elongated and truncated walls extend substantiallyperpendicularly to a plane of the inner side of the respective first orsecond flange; and/or the first flange and the first hub portion areone-piece and the second flange and the second hub portion areone-piece.

In other aspects, the system further comprises assembling the cable reelapparatus by releasably coupling the first and second hub portions toform a hub member to support the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cabletherebetween along a central longitudinal axis of the separable cablereel; and/or disassembling the first and second hub portions.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a system for using acable reel apparatus that comprises providing components of a separablecable reel for assembly of a cable reel apparatus. The component of theseparable cable reel Include a bag that has a base and a cover, whereinthe bag is sized to hold the cable reel apparatus when assembled, afirst frame sized to be disposed in the base of the bag, and a secondframe sized to be disposed at the cover of the bag, and the second frameis separate from the first frame. A first flange is configured to engagethe first frame, and the first flange has an inner side and an outerside, and the outer side of the first flange faces the first frame whenthe first flange is engaged therewith. A second flange is configured toengage the second frame, and the second flange has an inner side and anouter side, and the outer side of the second flange faces the secondframe when the second flange is engaged therewith. A hub portion extendsfrom the inner side of one of the first and second flanges. The systemalso comprises providing a pre-wound reel-less coil of cable that isseparate from the separable cable reel, wherein the first and secondflanges are configured to releasably couple with one another to supportthe pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable on the hub portion therebetween,and wherein the base of the bag includes a payout opening sized fordispensing cable of the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable therebetween.

In certain examples, the system further comprises assembling he cablereel apparatus by releasably coupling the first and second flanges suchthat the respective inner sides thereof face one another to support thepre-wound, reel-less coil of cable therebetween along a centrallongitudinal axis of the separable cable reel; the system furthercomprises disassembling the cable reel apparatus by decoupling the firstand second flanges; and/or the hub portion is an elongated wall.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatus thatcomprises a cable reel for holding a coil of cable, and the cable reelincludes a central longitudinal axis, a first flange that is configuredto be rotatably coupled to a first frame, and the first flange hasopposite inner and outer sides, and a second flange that is separatefrom the first flange and that is configured to be rotatably coupled toa second frame, and the second flange has opposite inner and outersides. At least one of the first and second flanges includes a hubportion that extends transversely from the inner side thereof. The firstand second flanges are configured to be releasably coupled to oneanother for supporting a coil of cable on the hub portion between thefirst and second flanges along the central longitudinal axis of thecable reel and are configured to be decoupled from one another whenreplacing the coil of cable once dispensed from the cable reelapparatus.

In certain examples, the coil of cable has an inner diameter, and thehub portion is sized to be received in the inner diameter whensupporting the coil of cable; the coil of cable is prepackaged without acable reel; the first frame and the second frame are disposed on innersurfaces of a bag that has a payout opening for dispensing cable of thecoil of cable; the bag is configured such that the second flange isremovable from the hub portion of the first flange allowing the coil ofcable to be loaded on and unloaded from the hub portion; the first frameis positioned in a base of the bag and the second frame is positioned ata cover of the bag, such that when the cover of the bag is closed withrespect to the base of the bag, the second frame releasably couples withthe second flange and such that when the cover of the bag is opened withrespect to the base of the bag, and the second frame decouples from thesecond flange; the hub portion is an annular elongated wall; and/or thefirst and second flanges are releasably coupled by a friction fit.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatus thatcomprises a bag that has a base, a cover, a payout opening fordispensing cable, a first frame, and a 55 second frame. A first flangeis positioned on the first frame, and the first flange has an inner sideand an outer side, and the outer side of the first flange faces thefirst frame. A second flange that is separate from the first flange ispositioned on the second frame, and the second flange has an inner sideand an outer side, and the outer side of the second flange facing thesecond frame. At least one of the first and second flanges includes ahub portion that extends transversely from the inner side thereof. Thefirst flange and the second flange are configured to be releasablycoupled to one 65 another for supporting a coil of cable on the hubportion between the first and second flanges and are configured to bedecoupled from one another when replacing the coil of cable oncedispensed from the cable reel apparatus.

In some examples, the coil of cable is prepackaged without a reel; thecoil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap; the first and secondflanges are releasably coupled by a friction fit; and/or the hub portionis an annular elongated wall.

A further aspect of this present disclosure is a cable reel apparatusthat comprises a cable reel that includes a central 10 longitudinalaxis, a first flange is configured to be rotatably coupled to a firstframe, and the first flange has an inner side and an outer side, and theouter side of the first flange faces the first frame, and a secondflange that is separate from the first flange that is configured to becoupled to a second frame, the second flange has an inner side and anouter side, and the outer side of the second flange faces the secondframe. The cable reel apparatus also has means for releasably couplingto the first flange and the second flange to support a pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable between the first and second flanges along thecentral longitudinal axis of the cable reel and decoupling the firstflange and the second flange from one another when replacing the coil ofcable once dispensed from the cable reel apparatus.

In some examples, each of the first and second flanges includes acentral opening for rotatably coupling to the first and second frames,respectively; the first flange is one-piece and the second flange isone-piece; the first frame is positioned in a base of a bag that has apayout opening for dispensing cable and the second frame is positionedat a cover of the bag, such that when the cover of the bag is closedwith respect to the base of the bag, the second frame rotatably coupleswith the second flange and such that when the cover of the bag is openedwith respect to the base of the bag, and the second frame decouples fromthe second flange; and/or the means for releasably coupling the firstand second flanges includes a frictional fit; the coil of cable isprepack-aged; and/or the coil of cable is prepackaged with plastic wrap.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a cable reel apparatusthat comprises a bag that has a first side and a second side, a firstflange that is configured to be positioned at the first side of the bag,and the first flange has an inner surface, and a second flange that isconfigured to be positioned at the second side of the bag. A hub memberextends from the inner surface of the first flange and releasablycouples with the second flange, and the hub member is configured tosupport a coil of cable.

In an example, the hub member comprises a first hub portion extendingfrom the inner surface of the first flange and a second hub portionextends from the inner surface of the second flange, and the first hubportion is releasably coupled with the second hub portion.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installing a coil ofcable on a cable reel apparatus that comprises the steps of placing thecoil of cable on a first flange of a separable cable reel of the cablereel apparatus; releasably coupling the first flange with a separatesecond flange of the separable cable reel after placing the coil ofcable on the first flange; and placing the separable cable reel in a bagof the cable reel apparatus. The first flange includes a hub portionconfigured to be received in an inner diameter of the coil of cable, andthe hub portion supports the coil of cable between the first and secondflanges when the first and second flanges are releasably coupled. Thecoil of cable is a pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable.

In certain examples, the hub portion is a wall extending transverselyfrom an inner side of the first flange, the wall is an elongated annularwall; the step of placing the separable cable reel in the bag occursafter the step of releasably coupling the first and second flanges; themethod further comprises the step of dispensing the cable of the coil ofcable through a payout slot in the bag after the step of releasablycoupling the first and second flanges; the method further comprises thestep of positioning the first flange on a first frame inside of the bag;the method further comprises the step of positioning the second flangeon a second frame inside of the bag; and/or the first frame is securedto an inner surface of a base of the bag and the second frame is securedto an inner surface of a cover of the bag.

In other examples, the method further comprises the step of decouplingthe first and second flanges from one another for replacement of thecoil of cable with another coil of cable; the method further comprisesthe step of prepackaging the coil of cable; the step of prepackaging thecoil of cable includes wrapping the coil of cable in plastic; the stepof releasably coupling the first and second flanges includes couplingthe first and second flanges by a friction fit; and/or the first flangeand the hub portion form one-piece.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installing acoil of cable on a cable reel apparatus that comprises the steps ofplacing the coil of cable on a first hub portion of a first flange of aseparable cable reel of the cable reel apparatus, the first hub portionextends from an inner side of the first flange and is configured to bereceived in an inner diameter of the coil of cable; releasably couplingthe first hub portion of the first flange with a second hub portion of asecond flange of the separable cable reel after placing the coil ofcable on the first hub portion, thereby forming a hub member thatsupports the coil of cable between the first and second flanges, whereinthe coil of cable is a pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable; anddecoupling the first and second hub portions from one another forreplacement of the coil of cable with another coil of cable.

In certain examples, the step of releasably coupling the first andsecond hub portions includes coupling the first and second hub portionsby a friction fit; the method further comprises the steps of placing theseparable cable reel in a bag of the cable reel apparatus and dispensingcable of the coil of cable through a payout slot in the bag after thestep of releasably coupling the first and second flanges; the firstflange includes a first engagement member configured to engage a secondengagement member of the second flange; and/or the first flange and thefirst hub portion form one-piece and the second flange and the secondhub portion form one-piece.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installing acoil of cable on a cable reel apparatus comprises the steps of placingthe coil of cable on an elongated annular wall of a first flange of aseparable cable reel of the cable reel apparatus, the elongated annularwall extends transversely from an inner side of the first flange and isconfigured to be received in an inner diameter of the coil of cable;after placing the coil of cable on the elongated annular wall,releasably coupling the elongated annular wall with a truncated annularwall of a second flange of the separable cable reel, thereby forming ahub member that supports the coil of cable between the first and secondflanges, wherein the coil of cable is a pre-wound, reel-less coil ofcable; placing the separable cable reel in a bag of the cable reelapparatus; and dispensing cable of the coil of cable out a payoutopening in the bag.

In certain examples, the method further comprises the step of decouplingthe elongated wall and the truncated wall from one another after thestep of dispensing the cable; the method further comprises the step ofplacing another pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable on the elongateannular wall after the step of decoupling the elongated annular wall andthe truncated annular wall from one another; at least a portion of thetruncated annular wall is received in a receiving area of the elongatedannular wall when releasably coupling the elongated annular wall and thetruncated annular wall together; and/or the coil of cable is pre-woundprior to the step of placing the coil of cable on the elongated annularwall of the first flange.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installing cable on acable reel apparatus that comprises the steps of providing a pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable for installing on a separable cable reel. Theseparable cable reel comprises a central longitudinal axis, a firstflange configured to be rotatably coupled to a first frame, and thefirst flange has opposite inner and outer sides, and a second flangethat is separate from the first flange and is configured to be rotatablycoupled to a second frame, and the second flange has opposite inner andouter sides. At least one of the first and second flanges includes a hubportion that extends transversely from the inner side thereof. Themethod also includes the step of instructing a user to releasably couplethe first and second flanges to support the pre-wound, reel-less coil ofcable on the hub portion between the first and second flanges along thecentral longitudinal axis of the separable cable reel.

In certain examples, the method further comprises the step ofinstructing the user to decouple the first and second flanges from oneanother when replacing the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable oncedispensed from the cable reel apparatus; the pre-wound, reel-less coilof cable has an inner diameter, and the hub portion is sized to bereceived in the inner diameter when releasably coupling the first andsecond flanges for supporting pre-wound, reel-less the coil of cable;the method further comprises the step of prepackaging the pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable; and/or the step of pre-packaging the pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable includes wrapping the pre-wound, reel-less coilof cable with plastic.

In other examples, the method further comprises the step of providing abag sized to receive the separable cable reel and the pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable; the method further comprises the step ofinstructing the user to place the first frame on a first inner surfaceof the bag and place the second frame on a second inner surface of thebag; the bag has a base and a cover, and the base includes the firstinner surface and the cover includes the second inner surface; themethod further comprises the step of instructing the user to dispensecable of the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable through a payout openingin the base of the bag; the method further comprises the step ofinstructing the user to close the cover on the base of the bag whenreleasably coupling the first and second flanges; the method furthercomprises the step of instructing the user to open the cover from thebase of the bag when decoupling the first and second flanges; the hubportion is an annular elongated wall; and/or the first and secondflanges are releasably coupled by a friction fit.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installing cableon a cable reel apparatus that comprises the steps of providing a baghaving a base, a cover, a payout opening sized for dispensing cable, afirst frame, and a second frame; providing a pre-wound, reel-less coilof cable for installing on a separable cable reel. The separable cablereel comprises a first flange for positioning on the first frame, hefirst flange has an inner side and an outer side, the outer side of thefirst flange for facing the first frame, a second flange that isseparate from the first flange for positioning on the second frame, thesecond flange having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side ofthe second flange for facing the second frame, and at least one of thefirst and second flanges includes a hub portion that extendstransversely from an inner side thereof. The method also comprisesinstructing a user to releasably couple the first and second flanges tosupport the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable on the hub portionbetween the first and second flanges along a central longitudinal axisof the separable cable reel.

In some examples, the method further comprises the step of instructingthe user to decouple the first and second flanges from one another whenreplacing the pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable once dispensed from thecable reel apparatus, the method further comprises the step ofinstructing the user to place the first frame on an inner surface ofbase of the bag and place the second frame on an inner surface of thecover of the bag; the method further comprises the step of prepackagingthe pre-wound, reel-less coil of cable; the method further comprisingthe step of instructing the user to dispense cable of the pre-wound,reel-less coil of cable through a payout opening in the base of the bag;the method further comprises the step of instructing the user to closethe cover on the base of the bag when releasably coupling the first andsecond flanges; and/or the method further comprises the step ofinstructing the user to open the cover from the base of the bag whendecoupling the first and second flanges.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installingcable on a cable reel apparatus that comprises providing a bag having abase, a cover, a payout opening sized for dispensing cable, a firstframe, and a second frame; and providing a pre-wound, reel-less coil ofcable for installing on a separable cable reel. The separable cable reelcomprises a first flange for positioning on the first frame, and thefirst flange has an inner side and an outer side, and the inner side ofthe first flange includes a first hub portion, and the outer side of thefirst flange facing the first frame; and a second flange that isseparate from the first flange for positioning on the second frame, andthe second flange has an inner side and an outer side, and the innerside of the second flange includes a second hub portion, and the outerside of the second flange for facing the second frame; and at least oneof the first and second flanges includes a hub portion extendingtransversely from an inner side thereof. The method also comprises thestep of instructing a user to releasably couple the first and second hubportions to form a hub member to support the pre-wound, reel-less coilof cable between the first and second flanges along a centrallongitudinal axis of the separable cable reel.

In an example, the first hub portion is an elongated annular wall, andthe second hub portion is a truncated annular wall.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of installingcable on a cable reel apparatus that comprises the steps of configuringthe cable reel apparatus to have: a bag; a first frame configured to bereceived inside the bag; a first flange configured to be removablyengaged with the first frame; a second frame configured to be receivedinside the bag; a second flange configured to be removably engaged withthe second frame; and a hub member configured to releasably couple thefirst flange with the second flange, the hub member configured tosupport a coil of cable. The method also comprises providing apre-wound, reel-less coil of cable.

In an example, the method further comprises instructing a user toinstall the coil of cable on the cable reel apparatus by decoupling thefirst flange from the second flange, placing the coil of cable on thehub member, and coupling the first flange to the second flange.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodimentof the present invention. This summary is not intended to identifyessential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended foruse in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide anoverview or framework to understand the nature and character of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Theaccompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. It is to be understood that the drawings illustrate onlysome examples of the disclosure and other examples or combinations ofvarious examples that are not specifically illustrated in the figuresmay still fall within the scope of this disclosure. Examples will now bedescribed with additional detail through the use of the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable reel in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with a supportingbag or box, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support frame of the cable reelillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a flange of the cable reel illustratedin FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a first hub portion of the cable reelillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of the first hub portionillustrated in FIG. 4A, showing the hub in cross-section;

FIG. 5A is an elevational view of a second hub portion of the cable reelillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the second hub portion of the cablereel illustrated in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the frame illustratedin FIG. 2 , showing outer gears of the frame;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the flangeillustrated in FIG. 3 , showing the inner gears of the flange;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the frame and the flangeof the cable reel illustrated in FIG. 1 , showing the inner and outergears engaged;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cable reel with an axially adjustablecoupling mechanism with a threaded connection, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the cable reel with an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism with a threaded connection of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a cable reel with anaxially adjustable coupling mechanism with a rotational ratchetingmechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a cable reel with anaxially adjustable coupling mechanism with an axial ratchetingmechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a cable reel with an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism with a threaded connection to a nut,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view of a cable reel with an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism with a splined snap connection, accordingto at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a cable reel with an axiallyadjustable snap connection with a plurality of sets of recesses (e.g.,engagement recesses), according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of a cable reel with an axiallyadjustable snap connection with different length snap arms, according toat least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of a cable reel with an axiallyadjustable snap connection with a plurality of sets of protrusions onsnap arms, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, that comprises the steps of: placing a coil of cable on afirst hub of a first flange of a cable reel; placing a second flange ofthe cable reel, that is separable from the first flange, opposite fromthe first flange to hold the coil of cable on the first hub of the firstflange; positioning the first flange on or next to a first support framereceived in the bag; and placing the second flange on or next to asecond support frame received in the bag. The second support frame ispositioned in the bag such that the first flange, the coil of cable andthe second flange are located between the first support frame and thesecond support frame.

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, that comprises the steps of: placing a coil of cable on afirst hub of a first flange of the cable reel; placing a second flangeof the cable reel opposite from the first flange to hold the coil ofcable on the first hub of the first flange; positioning the first flangeon or next to a first support frame located in the bag; and placing thesecond flange on or next to a second support frame located in the bag,wherein the second support frame is positionable in the bag such thatthe first flange, the coil of cable and the second flange are locatedbetween the first support frame and the second support frame. The stepof placing the coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange occursbefore the step of positioning the first flange on the first supportframe.

The present disclosure relates to a method of installing a coil of cablein a bag, the bag having a cover for opening the bag, a base oppositethe cover, and sides extending between the cover and the base, themethod comprising the steps of: placing a coil of cable on a first hubof a first flange of a cable reel; placing a second flange of the cablereel, that is separable from the first flange, opposite from the firstflange to hold the coil of cable on the first hub of the first flange;positioning the first flange on or next to a first support framereceived in the bag, the first support frame being on an inner surfaceof the base of the bag; and placing the second flange on or next to asecond support frame received in the bag, the second support frame beingon an inner surface of the cover of the bag. When the cover of the bagis closed, the first flange, the coil of cable and the second flange arelocated between the first support frame and the second support frameinside the bag.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6-8 , the present inventionrelates to a cable reel 100 that may be carried in a conventionalshoulder bag or satchel, a card-board or plastic box 101, and the like,with an opening 103 for easy payout of cable supported on the cablereel. The cable reel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is designed to provide easy installation of cable C,such as a cable coil, on the reel 100 and also prevents overpayout ofthe cable. Because the cable reel 100 is designed to be carried by aninstaller, it is preferable that the components of the cable reel 100 beformed of lighter weight materials, such as plastic. Some exemplaryplastic materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, or otherpolymer products.

As seen in FIG. 1 , the cable reel 100 generally includes opposingsupport frames 102 and 104 that rotatably support first and secondflanges 106 and 108 with a hub member 110 therebetween on which thecable is held. A braking mechanism 112 is preferably provided on thereel 100 between the support frames 102 and 104 of the flanges 106 and108 to limit overpayout of the cable. The cable reel 100 may be insertedinto and supported by the payout bag or box wherein the support frames102 and 104 are attached, preferably removably attached, to the coverand base, respectively, of the bag.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 , each support frame 102 and 104 includes anouter frame portion 120 with one or more cross members 122 and a middleflange support 124. The outer frame portion 120 may have a substantiallysquare geometry. The middle flange support 124 includes an annularextension 126 (FIG. 6 ) that supports a first part of the brakingmechanism 112. The first part of the braking mechanism may be anoutwardly extending gear member 128 that includes a plurality ofannularly arranged teeth 130 extending radially outwardly from theannular extension 126.

The middle flange support 124 and gear member 128 are offset oroff-center on the frame such that the distance d1 (FIG. 2 ) to one end132 of the frame is longer than the distance d2 (FIG. 2 ) to theopposite end 135 of the frame. This offset provides a gap 134, as seenin FIG. 8 , in the braking mechanism 112. Indicia 136, such as a companyname, may be provided on the end 132 of the frame to indicate the longerside, which is distance d1 of the frame to facilitate the orientation ofthe cable reel 100 in the bag or box.

Each flange 106 and 108 is preferably sized to fit within the outerframe portion 120 of its respective support frame 102 and 104 and issized to accommodate the cable such as a cable coil. The cable coil may,for example, have an outer diameter of 345 mm and an inner diameter of200 mm and a height of 135 mm. The flanges 106 and 108 are preferablydisc-shaped. Each flange has inner and outer surfaces 140 and 142 and acentral arbor opening 144. The inner surface 140 of each flange abutsthe hub member 110 and the outer surface 142 abuts a respective supportframe 102 and 104.

The central arbor opening 144 corresponds to the middle flange support124 of each respective support frame. The central arbor opening 144supports the second part of the braking mechanism 112 as seen in FIGS. 3and 7 . The second part of the braking mechanism 112 may be an internalgear member 146 that includes a plurality of annular arranged teeth 148extending radially inwardly.

The hub member 110 is located between the flanges 106 and 108 andsupports the cable coil. The hub member 110 includes a first hub portion150 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) and a second hub portion 152 (FIGS. SA and 5B)that are axially aligned and configured to mate with one another. Thehub portions 150 and 152 may be formed separately from the respectiveflanges 106 and 108 and attached thereto or the hub portions 150 and 152may be formed as one-piece with the respective flanges 106 and 108.

As seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first hub portion 150 is preferably thebase of the cable reel and provides the main support for the cable. Assuch, the first hub portion 150 is larger than the second hub portion152. The first hub portion 150 includes an elongated wall 154 thatextends from the inner surface 140 of the first flange 106 and definesan inner area 156 that receives the second hub portion 152. Theelongated wall 154 has a tapered outer surface 158 that tapers inwardlyfrom the flange inner surface 140 to the free end 160 of the wall 154.Slots 162 in the elongated wall 154 create flexible segments 164, whichengage both the second hub portion 152 and the cable coil to retain thesame. A groove 166 (FIG. 4B) may be located at the base of the elongatedwall 154 to provide additional flexibility to the segments 164. Anyother mechanism may be provided to add flexibility to the segments 164.For example, the segments 164 can be made thinner.

Secondary engagement members 170 may be provided as a back-up to retainthe hub portions 150 and 152 together. The secondary engagement members170 may be, for example, one or more snap arms 172 provided in the innerarea 156 that extend from the flange inner surface 140. The one or moresnap arms 172 preferably extend beyond the elongated wall 154 of thefirst hub portion 150, as seen in FIG. 4A, in order to engage the secondflange 108. The ends of the snap arms 172 preferably include snap tabs174 that engage corresponding slots 176 (FIG. 5B) in the second flange108. Although a snapping engagement is preferred to secure the hubportions 150 and 152 together, any known interlocking mechanism may beused.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second hub portion 152 includes atruncated wall 180 that extends from the inner surface 140 of the secondflange 108. The truncated wall 180 has a tapered outer surface 182 thatfits inside of the elongated wall 154 of the first hub portion 150 toform a friction fit between the hub portions 150 and 152 and expands theflexible segments 164 of the first hub portion 150.

As seen in FIG. 8 , the braking mechanism 112 is provided by meshing theteeth 130 and 148 of the outer and internal gear members 128 and 146.The gap 134 between the teeth 130 and 148 provides clearance for theteeth to slip or jump when the cable is pulled from the reel. The gearmembers 128 and 146 prevent overpayout of the cable. More specifically,when the cable is pulled from the reel, the flanges 106 and 108 rotate,thereby making the gear teeth 130, 148 rotate. The side support ispreferably fixed inside of the supporting bag or box and therefore doesnot rotate. This causes the gear teeth 148 to override meshing gearteeth 130 on the side support which creates friction and provides abraking to the momentum of the reel if the cable is pulled too hard.This action also creates a clicking mechanism which in turn preventsoverpaying the cable.

The distance of the gap need only be long enough to provide a clearanceto have gear teeth 148 to override teeth 130, thereby allowing thebraking mechanism to work. This clearance distance could vary dependingupon the gear teeth depth, flange hole inner diameter, side support geardepth, and the outer diameter of the middle flange support 124. The gap134 may be, for example, abut ¾ inch.

To install the cable on the cable reel 100, the cable coil C is placedover the first hub portion 150 of the hub member 110 and on the firstflange 106 so that the first hub portion 150 extends through the innerdiameter of the cable coil. The cable coil C may be prepacked in aplastic shrink wrap or with tie wraps or combination of both without anyexternal structure to support that coil. Next the second hub portion 152is inserted inside of the first hub portion 150 to frictionally engagethe same and expand the flexible segments 164, thereby forcing theflexible segments 164 to engage the inner diameter of the cable coil.The locking tabs 174 are then inserted inside of the slots 176 on thesecond flange 108 to hold the two flanges and hub portions together.

In an example of the present disclosure, the first support frame 102 ofthe reel 100 is secured to the base of the bag or box, such as bystraps, such as via strap 105 (FIG. 1 ), and the second support frame104 is secured to the cover or flap of the bag. With the cable coilinstalled on the hub member 110, the cable coil is inserted into the bagor box between the support frames 102 and 104 in the bag or box. Theassembly of the hub portions 150 and 152, the flanges 106 and 108, andthe cable coil is preferably inserted into the base of the bag on itsside such that the middle flange support 124 of the frame secured to thebase of the bag fits inside of the central arbor opening 144 of theflange. Similarly, the middle flange support 124 of the frame secured tothe cover of the bag fits inside of the opening 144 of the other flangewhen the bag is closed. Once the frames 102 and 104 are mated with theflanges 106 and 108, respectively, the operator can then dispense orpayout the cable through a cable payout slot or opening in the bag orbox. The operator may open the cover of the bag or box to separate thehub portions 150 and 152 by disengaging the snap tabs 174.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, a cable reel includes anaxially adjustable coupling mechanism 284 between the first flange 206and second flange 208. In particular, the first hub portion 250 andsecond hub portion 252 are coupled to one another by the axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism 284. For example, the first hub portion250 and second hub portion 252 are coupled together along a rotationalaxis 286 around which the first flange 206 and second flange 208 rotatewhen in a cable reel assembly, such as that described in relation toFIG. 1 through FIG. 8 . The axially adjustable coupling mechanism 284allows the first hub portion 250 and the second hub portion 252, andtherefore the first flange 206 and second flange 208, respectively, tobe rotationally fixed to one another at a plurality of axial positionsin the direction of the rotational axis 286.

In some embodiments, the axially adjustable coupling mechanism 284includes a threaded connection between the first hub portion 250 and thesecond hub position 252. The axially adjustable coupling mechanism 284includes a male threaded portion 288 and a complementary female threadedportion 290 on each of the first hub portion 250 and second hub portion252 respectively, as shown in FIG. 10 . In other embodiments, the malethreaded portion 288 and the complementary female threaded portion 290may be located in other configurations, such as the male threadedportion 288 and the complementary female threaded portion 290 positionedon the second hub portion 252 and the first hub portion 250,respectively.

The first flange 206 and the second flange 208 are configured to containa coil of cable around the mated first hub portion 250 and second hubportion 252. In some instances, the cable coil can loosen or expandduring shipping, during removal from packaging, during installation onthe reel, or for other reasons. When the cable coil expands in atraverse direction (e.g., the axial direction of the rotational axis ofthe cable reel when the cable coil is on the cable reel), the cable coilmay be unable to fit between the first flange and the second flange ofsome cable reels. A cable reel with an axially adjustable couplingmechanism 284 can, therefore, ease the installation of a cable coil whenthe coil has expanded during shipping, during removal from packaging,during installation on the reel, or for other reasons.

When a threaded connection is mated together, the first flange 206 andsecond flange 208 may apply an axially compressive force to the cablecoil and/or the first hub portion may apply a radially expansive forceto the cable coil. The resulting friction in the threaded connectionand/or between the flanges 206, 208 and/or hub portions 250, 252 withthe cable coil may secure the axially adjustable coupling mechanism 284.Because the flanges 206, 208 rotate relative to the support frames (suchas those described in relation to FIG. 1 ) substantially freely, theaxially adjustable coupling mechanism 284 may remain mated. Inembodiments with a braking mechanism, the threads may be oriented in therotational direction of cable feed from the coil, causing torque appliedto the flanges 206, 208 while an installer pulls on the cable to feedout from the cable coil to further tighten the threaded connection.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , in some embodiments, an axially adjustablecoupling mechanism 384 includes a rotational ratcheting mechanism (e.g.,ratcheting pawls 392 and a plurality of teeth 394) to limit and/orprevent the axially adjustable coupling mechanism 384 from becomingdisconnected. The axially adjustable coupling mechanism 384 includes athreaded connection, similar to the structures described in relation toFIG. 10 , with ratcheting pawls 392 supported by flexible arms 364 onthe first hub portion 350. In some embodiments, the pawls 392 engagewith a plurality of teeth 394 or recesses on the second hub portion 352arranged rotationally around the second hub portion 352. As the threadedconnection couples the first hub position 350 to the second hub portion352, the ratcheting pawls 392 contact and engage with the teeth 394. Theflexible arms 364 elastically deform and apply a radially compressiveforce to the teeth 394 and limit and/or prevent the first hub portion350 and second hub portion 352 rotating relative to one another and theaxially adjustable coupling mechanism 384 becoming disconnected.

It should be understood that the pawls 392 and teeth 394 may be arrangedin other configurations to rotationally engage. For example, the pawls392 may be supported by the second hub portion 352 and the teeth 394located on the first hub portion 350. In some embodiments, the pawls 392may be biased radially outwardly to apply a radially expansive force toteeth 394 oriented toward the rotational axis 386.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, an axially adjustablecoupling mechanism 484 includes an axial ratcheting mechanism to limitand/or prevent the axially adjustable coupling mechanism 484 frombecoming disconnected. The axially adjustable coupling mechanism 484includes a threaded connection, similar to the structures described inrelation to FIG. 10 , with ratcheting pawls 492 supported by flexiblearms 464 on the first hub portion 450. In some embodiments, the pawls492 engage with a plurality of teeth 494 or recesses on the second hubportion 452 arranged axially on the second hub portion 452. As thethreaded connection couples the first hub position 450 to the second hubportion 452, the ratcheting pawls 492 contact and engage with the teeth494. The flexible arms 464 elastically deform and apply a radiallycompressive force to the teeth 494 and limit and/or prevent the firsthub portion 450 and the second hub portion 452 from moving axiallyrelative to one another and the axially adjustable coupling mechanism484 becoming disconnected.

It should be understood that the pawls 492 and teeth 494 may be arrangedin other configurations to axially engage. For example, the pawls 492may be supported by the second hub portion 452 and the teeth 494 locatedon the first hub portion 450. In some embodiments, the pawls 492 may bebiased radially outwardly to apply a radially expansive force to teeth494 oriented toward the rotational axis 486.

While embodiments of axially adjustable coupling mechanisms withthreaded connections have been described with the threads on the firsthub portion and the second hub portion, in other embodiments, an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism with a threaded connection includes a nutor other additional component to compress the first hub portion to thesecond hub portion.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a first hubportion 550 and a second hub portion 552 that are connected by anaxially adjustable coupling mechanism 584 including a nut 596. In someembodiments, the male threaded portion 588 is positioned on the firsthub portion 550 and the complementary female threaded portion 590 ispositioned on the nut 596 opposite the second hub portion 552. A part ofthe first hub portion 550 may be inserted through the second hub portion552 to engage with the nut 596. When the male threaded portion 588 onthe first hub portion 550 engages with the complementary female threadedportion 590 positioned on the nut 596, the threaded connectioncompresses the second hub portion 552 against the first hub portion 550.In some embodiments, the second hub portion 552 and/or second flange 508is configured to receive the nut 596 flush with a surface of the secondhub portion 552 and/or second flange 508. The first flange 506 andsecond flange 508 may fit within the support frames of the reel when thenut 596 and second flange 508 form a flat outer surface.

Other embodiments of axially adjustable coupling mechanisms do notinclude threads, but rather rotationally and/or axially fix the firsthub portion relative to the second hub portion through axially orientedsplines. FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view of an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism 684 with axial splines 696. An axialspline 696 on the second hub portion 652 engages with an axial slot 698on the first hub portion 650 and, alone, limits and/or prevents rotationof the first hub portion 650 and the second hub portion 652 relative toone another while allowing axial movement relative to one another.

In some embodiments, one or more radial protrusions 699 on flexible arms664 of the first hub portion 650 may engage with one or morecircumferential recesses 607 on the second hub portion 652. Theengagement of the radial protrusion 699 and circumferential recess 607alone limits and/or prevents axial movement of the first hub portion 650and the second hub portion 652 relative to one another while allowingrotational movement relative to one another. When an axially adjustablecoupling mechanism 684 includes both the spline(s) 696 and slot(s) 698with the protrusion(s) 699 and recess(es) 607, the axially adjustablecoupling mechanism 684 both rotationally and axially fixes the first hubportion 650 relative to the second hub portion 652. The flexible arms664 supporting the protrusions 699 may elastically deform allowing aninstaller to press the first hub portion 650 and second hub portion 652together and pull the first hub portion 650 and second hub portion 652apart, while still providing sufficient force to prevent unintendeddecoupling.

FIG. 15 through FIG. 17 illustrate embodiments of axially adjustablecoupling mechanisms that provide a plurality of discrete axialpositions. FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of afirst hub portion 750 and a second hub portion 752 with an axial seriesof recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3. The recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 of thesecond hub portion 752 are positioned in a series of sets of recesses707-1, 707-2, 707-3. The first recesses 707-1 include a set of recessesat a first axial position. The first recesses 707-1 include a set ofrecesses at a first axial position. The first recesses 707-1 include aset of recesses at a first axial position. The each set of recesses707-1, 707-1, 707-3 includes a plurality of recesses complementarilyformed to the protrusions 799 of the axially adjustable couplingmechanism 784.

The axially adjustable coupling mechanism 784 includes a plurality offlexible snap arms 772 with protrusions 799 protruding radiallytherefrom. The arms are elastically deformable to apply a radiallyoutward force to the urge the protrusions toward one of the sets ofrecesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 as the first hub portion 750 is urgedtoward the second hub portion 752. In some embodiments, the protrusions799 engage with a set of the recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 in sequence asthe first hub portion 750 moves axially. The engagement of theprotrusions 799 with each set of recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 provides aseries of stable axial positions for the first hub portion 750 relativeto the second hub portion 752. For example, a stable axial position maybe a low energy state. For instance, when a protrusion 799 is at astable axial position in a recess 707-1, 707-2, 707-3, additional forceis required to move the protrusion 799 from the recess 707-1, 707-2,707-3. In another example, a stable axial position may include aposition where the force required for a protrusion 799 to engage arecess 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 may be lower than the force required toremove the protrusion 799 from the recess 707-1, 707-2, 707-3.

The protrusions 799 engage with each set of recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3to limit and/or prevent movement of the first hub portion 750 relativeto the second hub portion 752 in both the axial and the rotationaldirections. In some embodiments, the protrusions have a ramped surfacein an axial direction to allow the protrusions to move out of the setsof recesses 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 in the axial direction when sufficientforce is applied by an installer. In some embodiments, the protrusions799 are ramped in the direction of the second flange 708 to easeconnection and/or ramped in the direction of the first flange 706 toease removal. In some embodiments, a slope of the ramped surface may bedifferent on a leading face than on a trailing face (e.g., a leadingface may have a lower slope to facilitate a protrusion 799 engaging arecess 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 as the protrusion 799 slides toward thesecond hub 752 along and a trailing face may have a higher slope tofacilitate the protrusion 799 remaining in the recess 707-1, 707-2,707-3 as the protrusion 799 is pulled away from the second hub 752).

In some embodiments, protrusions positioned at a variety of axialpositions can sequentially engage with a single set of recesses toprovide a plurality of stable axial positions for an axially adjustablecoupling mechanism. FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a first hub portion 850 and a second hub portion 852 witha plurality of protrusions 899-1, 899-2 at different axial positions.The protrusions 899-1, 899-2 are supported by flexible snap arms 872 ofdifferent or equal lengths with each set of protrusions 899-1, 899-2 ata terminal end of the flexible snap arms 872 or in an intermediatelocation between a base of the flexible snap arms 872 and the terminalend.

In some embodiments, the angular arc length of a protrusion 899-1, 899-2is substantially equal to that of the recess 807 into which theprotrusion 899-1, 899-2 engages. For example, a protrusion 899-1, 899-2with an arc length of 10° around the rotational axis may fit into arecess 807 of approximately a 10° arc length. By having complementaryarc lengths, the protrusion 899-1, 899-2 and recess 807 limit and/orprevent the rotational movement of the first hub portion 850 relative tothe second hub portion 852. In some embodiments, the protrusion 899-1,899-2 has an arc length less than that of the recess to relaxmanufacturing tolerances and ease engagement between the protrusion899-1, 899-2 and the recess 807.

As the first hub portion 850 is urged toward the second hub portion 852,the flexible snap arms 872 contact an inner surface of the second hubportion 852 and elastically deform radially. The first set ofprotrusions 899-1 approach the set of recesses 807 in the second hubportion 852. When the first set of protrusions 899-1 align axially androtationally with at least some of the recesses of the set of recesses807, the first set of protrusions 899-1 may engage (due to an elasticrestorative force from the flexible snap arms 872) with the set ofrecesses 807 at a first axial position to limit and/or preventunintended rotational and/or axial movement of the first hub portion 850relative to the second hub portion 852.

An installer may apply a force to further disengage the first set ofprotrusions 899-1 from the set of recesses 807 and urge the second setof protrusions 899-1 toward the set of recesses 807. In someembodiments, when the second set of protrusions 899-2 align axially androtationally with at least some of the recesses of the set of recesses807, the second set of protrusions 899-2 may engage (due to an elasticrestorative force from the flexible snap arms 872) with the set ofrecesses 807 at a second axial position to limit and/or preventunintended rotational and/or axial movement of the first hub portion 850relative to the second hub portion 852.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of an axially adjustable couplingmechanism 884 with a plurality of flexible snap arms 872 of differentlengths with protrusions 899-1, 899-2 located at a terminal end thereof.In other embodiments, at least one of the flexible snap arms has aplurality of protrusions to provide different stable axial positions forthe axially adjustable coupling mechanism. For example, FIG. 17 is aside cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a first hub portion 950and a second hub portion 952 with an axial series of protrusions 999-1,999-2 on at least one flexible snap arm 972.

The first set of protrusions 999-1 are located at a first axial positionon the flexible snap arms 972. The second set of protrusions 999-2 arelocated at a second axial position on the flexible snap arms 972. Thetwo sets of protrusions 999-1, 999-2 are configured to engage with theset of recesses 907 in the second hub portion 952 when the first hubportion 952 and second hub portion 950 are urged toward one another.

When the first set of protrusions 999-1 align axially and rotationallywith at least some of the recesses of the set of recesses 907, the firstset of protrusions 999-1 may engage (due to an elastic restorative forcefrom the flexible snap arms 972) with the set of recesses 907 at a firstaxial position to limit and/or prevent unintended rotational and/oraxial movement of the first hub portion 950 relative to the second hubportion 952.

An installer may apply a force to further disengage the first set ofprotrusions 999-1 from the set of recesses 907 and urge the second setof protrusions 999-1 toward the set of recesses 907. In someembodiments, when the second set of protrusions 999-2 align axially androtationally with at least some of the recesses of the set of recesses907, the second set of protrusions 999-2 may engage (due to an elasticrestorative force from the flexible snap arms 972) with the set ofrecesses 907 at a second axial position to limit and/or preventunintended rotational and/or axial movement of the first hub portion 850relative to the second hub portion 952.

While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings that modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, andvariations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthis disclosure. Likewise, the various examples described may be usedindividually or in combination with other examples. Those skilled in theart will appreciate various combinations of examples not specificallydescribed or illustrated herein that are still within the scope of thisdisclosure. In this respect, it is to be understood that the disclosureis not limited to the specific examples set forth and the examples ofthe disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the adjective “another,” whenused to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements.The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having” and similar terms areintended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elementsother than the listed elements.

Additionally, where a method described above or a method claim belowdoes not explicitly require an order to be followed by its steps or anorder is otherwise not required based on the description or claimlanguage, it is not intended that any particular order be inferred.Likewise, where a method claim below does not explicitly recite a stepmentioned in the description above, it should not be assumed that thestep is required by the claim.

It is noted that the description and claims may use geometric orrelational terms, such as right, left, above, below, upper, lower, top,bottom, linear, arcuate, elongated, parallel, perpendicular, etc. Theseterms are not intended to limit the disclosure and, in general, are usedfor convenience to facilitate the description based on the examplesshown in the figures. In addition, the geometric or relational terms maynot be exact. For instance, walls may not be exactly perpendicular orparallel to one another because of, for example, roughness of surfaces,tolerances allowed in manufacturing, etc., but still be considered to beperpendicular or parallel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable reel, comprising: first and secondopposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and thesecond flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hubportions configured to be axially aligned and configured to mate withone another to support cable; and an axially adjustable couplingmechanism configured to couple the first hub portion to the second hubportion at a plurality of stable axial positions, wherein the first hubportion is rotationally fixed to the second hub portion at the pluralityof axial positions.
 2. The cable reel of claim 1, the first hub portionincluding an elongated wall extending from the first flange, theelongated wall being sized to support cable, the elongated wall definingan inner area configured to accept the second hub portion, and theelongated wall including a plurality of flexible segments; and thesecond hub portion including a truncated wall receivable in the innerarea of the first hub portion, said truncated wall including a taperedouter surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexiblesegments.
 3. The cable reel of claim 1, wherein the axially adjustablecoupling mechanism includes a threaded connection.
 4. The cable reel ofclaim 3, wherein the axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes aratcheting pawl.
 5. The cable reel of claim 1, wherein the axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism includes at least one axial spline andcomplementary axial slot.
 6. The cable reel of claim 1, wherein theaxially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a plurality of recesses,wherein at least two of the recesses of the plurality of recesses arelocated at different axial positions, and at least one radially-biasedflexible arm configured to engage with at least one recess of theplurality of recesses.
 7. The cable reel of claim 6, wherein the atleast one recess is a circumferential recess around one of the first hubportion or the second hub portion.
 8. The cable reel of claim 1, whereinthe axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes a plurality offlexible arms, wherein at least two of the flexible arms of theplurality of flexible arms have a protrusion located at different axialpositions, and at least one recess is configured to receive aprotrusion.
 9. The cable reel of claim 8, wherein a first arc length ofat least one protrusion is substantially equal to a second arc length ofa recess.
 10. The cable reel of claim 8, wherein at least one flexiblearm of the plurality of flexible arms has a plurality of protrusionsprotruding therefrom.
 11. The cable reel of claim 1, wherein the firsthub portion is longer than the second hub portion in the axialdirection.
 12. The cable reel of claim 1, further comprising first andsecond support frames rotatably coupled to the first hub portion andsecond hub portion, respectively.
 13. The cable reel of claim 12,wherein each of the first and second flanges is substantially discshaped.
 14. The cable reel of claim 12, further comprising a brakingmechanism configured to limit rotation of at least one of the firstflange and second flange relative to the first support frame.
 15. Amethod of installing a cable coil on a cable reel, the methodcomprising: providing a first flange of the cable reel, wherein thefirst flange has a first hub portion connected thereto; positioning acable coil on the first hub portion and contacting the first flange;coupling the first hub portion to a second hub portion by an axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism; and moving the second hub portion througha plurality of stable axial positions of the axially adjustable couplingmechanism until a second flange contacts the cable coil.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein coupling the first hub portion to a second hubportion by an axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes rotatingthe second hub portion relative to the first hub portion.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein coupling the first hub portion to a second hubportion by an axially adjustable coupling mechanism includes moving thesecond hub portion axially relative to the first hub portion withoutrotating the second hub portion relative to the first hub portion.
 18. Acable reel kit, the kit comprising: a first flange including a first hubportion, wherein the first hub portion includes a first part of anaxially adjustable coupling mechanism; and a second flange having asecond hub portion, wherein the first hub portion includes a second partof an axially adjustable coupling mechanism and the first part and thesecond part of the axially adjustable coupling mechanism are configuredto mate to provide a plurality of stable axial positions of the axiallyadjustable coupling mechanism.
 19. The kit of claim 18, furthercomprising a first support frame and a second support frame configuredto support the first flange and the second flange, respectively, whereinthe first support frame and second support frame are configured to allowthe first flange and second flange to rotate freely relative to thefirst support frame and the second support frame.
 20. The kit of claim19, further comprising a cover configured to cover the first supportframe, the second support frame, the first flange and the second flange.